Pollinator Advocacy Alliance
We are a group of beekeepers, business owners, farmers, land stewards, and non-profits seeking to protect local beekeepers, habitat, and pollinators.
Read the Ordinance
The proposed ordinance creates a sustainable framework for the number of commercial beehives and proximity of apiaries in Sonoma County.
If you wish to read the entire text of the proposed ordinance you can do so HERE.
Main Points of the Sonoma County Commercial Beekeeping Ordinance
A. Locational Requirements:
Encroachment Protection:
Commercial Apiaries must be at least three miles away from other registered apiaries unless:
The proposed site was registered since before 2020.
The new apiary is for pollination purposes during bloom.
Transition Period:
Apiaries that are currently closer to each other than the required three miles distance need to come into compliance within a transition period of (three years from the time the ordinance is passed).
The priority for a location is given to the beekeeper who’s apiary was registered first.
Water Availability: Apiaries must have:
A natural water source within half a mile, or
An artificial water supply within 150 feet, with written consent if not owned by the beekeeper.
B. Transfer of Encroachment Protection:
A registered Commercial Apiary can be transferred if:
The seller has an active apiary at the location.
The apiary complies with regulations.
The new owner registers the apiary and pays the fee within 30 days.
C. Expiration of Protection from Encroachment:
Apiaries must be occupied and re-registered annually. If registration lapses for a year or if colonies are not placed within the registration period, protection from encroachment expires.
D. Seasonal Hive Limit:
Apiary size is limited to a max of 48 live colonies per parcel between April 15 and October 15.
Exemptions for Mating Nucleus Apiaries and Pollination Apiaries.
Pollination Apiaries are those sites where the honey bees are under contract with a farm for pollination during bloom of the cash crop.
Mating Nucleus Apiaries must use mating nuc hive equipment for easy identification.
E. Permission of Property Owner:
Apiaries must have permission from the landowner or authorized agent, with proof of approval including contact details.
F. Overly Defensive and Scutellata hybrid Honey Bees:
Apiaries cannot keep overly defensive or Scutellata hybrid honey bees.
G. Enforcement:
Violations are considered a public nuisance and may be addressed through legal proceedings. The local Agricultural Commissioner’s office is responsible for enforcement of the ordinance.
Sign the Petition
Join us in demanding that our local government act on behalf of all pollinators! Please sign and share this petition and let our elected officials know that Sonoma County is a safe place for honey bees and other pollinators alike.
about
The Pollinator Advocacy Alliance was formed in 2023 by a coalition of local pollinator business owners and organizations in response to Sonoma County’s decision to lease public property to a migratory beekeeper. This decision opened the door to the discussion of the impacts that migratory bee hives have in our local landscapes.We are all Sonoma County professionals who either are directly involved in beekeeping, conservation, habitat, or other endeavors that involve both honey bees and native pollinators.We have all been directly affected by migratory bee hives and we are looking to create a county ordinance that would regulate migratory beekeeping and protect Sonoma County honey bees and other pollinators as well as those folks who live and whose businesses are based in Sonoma County.We are actively involved in seeking the broadest possible coalition of community members to tackle this issue. See below for a timeline of our activities and outreach.
7-Aug-23 Presentation, Healdsburg City Council
31-Aug-23 Article, Healdsburg Tribune
7-Sep-23 Article, Press Democrat
11-Sep-23 Presentation, Sonoma County Beekeepers Association
12-Oct-23 Meeting, Sonoma County Beekeepers Association
7-Nov-23 Presentation, Rutherford Dust Society, Napa County
9-Nov-23 Meeting, Sonoma County Beekeepers Association, Board of Directors
20-Nov-23 Presentation, Napa Valley Beekeepers Association
27-Nov-23 Presentation, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
14-Feb-24 Presentation, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
11-Mar-24 Meeting, Sonoma County Beekeepers Association
15-Apr-24 Meeting, Hector Alvarez of Hector's Honey
29-Apr-24 Meeting, Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner
24-May-24 Presentation, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
8-Aug-24 Consultation, Kandis Gilmore, Biologist
19-Aug-24 Presentation, Napa Valley Beekeepers Association
10-Sep-24 Correspondence, Nevada County Agricultural Commissioner
24-Oct-24 Presentation, Sonoma County Farm Bureau
29-Jan-25 Presentation, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Ongoing Consultations, Randy Oliver, Commercial Beekeeper and Biologist
Contact
You can reach PAA at:pollinatoradvocacyalliance[at]gmail[dot]com